PR
In coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield reminded police commanders to help the Local Government Units (LGUs) in ensuring that all the cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium are compliant to the quarantine rules as the early commemoration of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day starts.
Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the JTF COVID Shield, said the strict and proper observation of the minimum health safety standard protocol such as wearing of face mask and face shield and physical distancing is a non-negotiable rule that must be implemented during the pre and post-observation of Undas.
“We leave it to the LGUs and the PNP to discuss the rules that would be implemented, but all the rules that would be crafted must be in consonance with what is prescribed by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases),” said PLt. Gen. Eleazar.
“On the part of the PNP, the minimum health safety standard protocols are additional rules that should be implemented aside from the usual prohibitions like bringing of liquor and bladed weapons and other materials that would encourage mass gathering,” he added.
Based on the IATF Guideline, the number of visitors in cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium shall be limited to 30% of the venue capacity, with all those entering must wear face mask and face shield and observe physical distancing.
Age restrictions, according to the IATF Guideline, will not apply to all the visitors effective after the IATF Guideline was approved on September 17 and until November 15 only.
The same Guideline orders the closure of all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium from October 29 to November 4.
The JTF COVID Shield earlier instructed all police commanders to coordinate with their respective LGUs in the proper observance of Undas amid the threat of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
PLt. Gen. Eleazar said that police commanders were ordered to set up assistance desks at the entrance of the cemeteries and columbaries in order to properly monitor the entry and exit of the people.
The idea, he said, is to avoid overcrowding of people inside in compliance with the IATF Guideline.
“We also ordered our commanders on the ground to coordinate with the LGUs for the deployment of force multipliers such as barangay tanods and Public Order and Safety personnel for regular patrol inside the cemeteries to ensure that the health safety protocols are observed,” said PLt. Gen. Eleazar.
PLt. Gen. Eleazar said that while there would be no age restrictions for those who would visit their departed loved ones, visitors should have no symptoms of the COVID-19 and that they have no pre-existing condition that would make them more prone to coronavirus infection.
“We in the Joint Task Force COVID Shield respect the Filipino tradition of honoring their departed loved ones. But this should be done in a way that will not compromise the health safety of our kababayan,” said PLt. Gen. Eleazar.
“That is why early preparation is necessary in order to give the LGUs, the local police and other concerned agencies come up with the best plan that would serve as a middle ground between the effort of the government to protect the people from infection and respecting our Undas tradition,” he added.
PLt. Gen. Eleazar also appealed to the public to respect the rules and the persons in authorities implementing them, and to exercise precaution for themselves in protecting their entire family from COVID-19
